Project Title:    Optimizing end-of-life care for seniors (ELCS-NET)

Principal Investigator: Allard, Pierre

Contact Information
Elizabeth Bremner, Project Manager
SCO Health Service
Elizabeth Bruyere Research Institute
Palliative Care Research Group
43 Bruyere Street, Room 283J
Ottawa, Ontario
K1N 5C8
Tel: 613-562-4262 x4017
Fax: 613-562-6371

Email: ebremner@scohs.on.ca

Abstract: Palliative (end-of-life) care and gerontology (care of older persons) are two fields which have concerns in common, but which have not collaborated substantially in the past. We propose a new interdisciplinary team of investigators to study end-of-life care for seniors. Based on an adaptation of Stewart et al’s 1999 framework for assessing the quality of end-of-life care, our research will focus on the structure, process, quality, and outcomes of end-of-life care for older persons. We will also examine how personal, social, and environmental factors affect care. Our team is comprised of specialists in medicine, epidemiology, nursing, psychology, and social work. The team includes new and experienced investigators with research expertise in palliative care, gerontology, and health services delivery. Their work crosses institutional and community settings, and incorporates qualitative and quantitative methods. This grant provides a unique opportunity for this team to collaborate in producing cohesive and comprehensive research to improve end-of-life care for seniors, and to provide professional training and growth in this emerging field.